Another big blow for the Dallas Cowboys as they have a “Trouble In Paradise” situation at their linebacker position. The team is already off to a rocky preseason by losing twice. DeMarvion Overshown and John Stephens both went down with season-ending injuries. Overshown was coming off a strong preseason start for the team, but the injury ended his rookie season before it ever truly began.
The injury bug continues for Dallas, something they were facing last preseason. Depth is already thin at linebacker, so the young group needs to step up more than ever. Guys like Jabril Cox and Devin Harper have gotten reps and practice time. But the Cowboys have to wonder if they can bring in a veteran linebacker to help teach them.
The Cowboys need to act fast to address the “Trouble In Paradise” situation not only for the linebacker position but the defense as well. Cowboys edge defender Sam Williams was recently arrested on weapons and drug charges this past weekend. Trouble could not have gotten worse so the only answer is to give more playing time to the young group. The NFL free agency market is thin, so it makes sense for the Cowboys to trust their young guys.
It’s like a bad dream and Dallas is once again dreading the “Trouble In Paradise” situation in yet another rough preseason start.
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Trouble in Paradise: Dallas Cowboys Have a Linebacker Problem
DeMarvion Overshown
It’s disheartening for the Cowboys to lose Overshown after he put in an impressive performance on the field and at training camp. He wasn’t guaranteed a roster spot, but he was heading in that direction. However, they still have Micah Parsons and Leighton Vander Esch, who already were going to be the starters. Most of the action from Parsons comes off as an edge rusher, leaving Vander Esch as the only experienced linebacker on the Dallas Cowboys.
Overshown finished his year early by picking up some highlights against the Jaguars. He looks forward to next year with the team to fight for a roster spot. In the meantime, he remains in high spirits while recovering from his injury. This gives Overshown time to learn from Cox and Harper as they are set to take more reps at the second level.
Blessed and Highly Favored pic.twitter.com/7QJB3b3GIb
— DeMarvion Overshown (@AGENT0__) August 21, 2023
Jabril Cox
Jabril Cox is already looking to rebound from a disappointing 2022 season. This adds fuel to the fire now that the competition gets much easier for him at linebacker. This is not to say on the level of Parsons or Vander Esch, but at the second level, it gives him that opportunity. He made an impression on the coaches in the Cowboys first minicamp this offseason.
It’s indeed satisfying for Cox coming off a season-ending torn ACL injury in 2021, is now back to be a contributor to Dan Quinn’s defense. He still made promising strides by making plays that same year despite only mustering two tackles. Cox isn’t replacing Parsons, Vander Esch, or Damone Clark, but will be a valuable sub when needed. For 2023, Cowboy fans and coaches have to wonder if Cox will have a breakout year now that he gets more snaps.
Devin Harper
Devin Harper is the second man behind Cox, looking to get more reps at training camp. The Cowboys 2022 sixth-rounder made a play by scooping up a fumble from preseason Week 1. This only after suffering an Achilles injury last season resulting in only playing three games. Both he and Cox will pick up the slack for Overshown, but there’s trouble since injuries begin to become a concern.
It’s always every year that the Cowboys have an injury bug in the preseason ahead of their regular season. While Mike McCarthy is confident in the young guys to step in, injuries become a concern to create a major problem for the Dallas Cowboys linebacker room. Harper and Cox have the talent, but it’s something to watch for the rest of the preseason and training camp. You can have the talent, but it’s only useful when they can remain healthy.
It seems like having talent on the team becomes a burden which is not the only concern to Dallas, but also what they can do to sustain these injuries as they rest their starters.
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Main Photo: Jason Parkhurst – USA Today Sports
